Cadillac team boss Lowdon trusts Ferrari amid F1 engine rumors

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As Formula 1 teams brace for the seismic shift of the 2026 technical regulations, Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon has moved to quell growing anxieties regarding the legality of the sport's next generation of power units.

In a move that signals both technical confidence and a strengthening alliance with Maranello, Lowdon has firmly backed the Ferrari power unit that will propel the American outfit’s much-anticipated debut.

The 2026 season represents a "clean sheet" revolution for the sport, moving away from the complex MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit – Heat) in favor of a simplified but massively powerful hybrid system.

The new units mandate a roughly 50:50 split between the internal combustion engine (ICE) and electrical power, with the MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit – Kinetic) now required to deploy nearly triple the energy of its predecessor.

Deflecting the ‘Loophole’ Storm

However, the road to 2026 has already hit a patch of political turbulence. Rumors have circulated that established giants like Mercedes and Red Bull may have discovered a loophole regarding the strict 16:1 compression ratio limit, potentially exploiting how components expand under heat to gain an on-track performance advantage while remaining legal during static FIA inspections.

When questioned by Sky Sports News on whether Cadillac feared being disadvantaged by such interpretations, Lowdon was categorical in his defense of his technical partners.

Cadillac F1 team principal Graeme Lowdon.

"What I'm very confident and happy about is we have a fully legal engine," Lowdon stated. "With these engines, the combustion is not allowed to take place at a compression ratio above 16:1. Without going into too many details, we know that Ferrari have completely followed the rules where that stands. That gives us a lot of confidence."

Lowdon’s stance suggests that while others may be pushing the regulatory boundaries, Cadillac and Ferrari have prioritized a "black and white" reading of the law.

"In terms of performance, we work and support our power unit partner to the absolute maximum. We're very happy with the relationship. I can't really talk for other people's power units or how they've interpreted the regulation. But to me, it's extremely clear it's there in black and white," he added.

A Partnership Built on Heritage

For Lowdon, the choice to partner with Ferrari for Cadillac’s inaugural seasons – ahead of General Motors' own planned power unit entry in 2028 – is more than just a logistical necessity.

It is a reunion with a manufacturer he knows intimately from his years leading the Manor and Marussia projects.

"I've worked with Ferrari a number of times before,” Lowdon explained. “They're great partners. It's an iconic name in Formula 1 as well.

“All of the people in that team are real racers as well, and we welcome them into the Cadillac Formula 1 team as well.”

The collaboration extends beyond the hardware bolted into the back of the Cadillac chassis. The agreement includes a deep level of integration, with Ferrari personnel embedded within the team to accelerate the learning curve of the American newcomers.

"They don't just provide us with a power unit, they provide us with some technical support in terms of people who join the team. It's great to have them on board," Lowdon concluded.

As the technical battle for 2026 intensifies, Lowdon’s assurance makes one thing clear: while the rest of the grid may be looking for gray areas, Cadillac is betting on the integrity and racing pedigree of the Prancing Horse.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.